Heater



Nov. 24, 1942. 5 OYSTER 2,302,796

HEATER Filed Jan. 10, 1940 r 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENTOR.

BY LBEI2T E; OYSTER Aw, QM +29% ATTORIJEYS.

E. E. OYSTER Nov. 24, 1942.

HEATER Filed Jan. 10, 1940 2 Sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR. BY LBERT E. Ovs'rmz ATTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 24, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HEATER Elbert E. Oyster, Cleveland Heights, Ohio Application January 10, 1940, Serial No. 313,216

5 Claims.

This invention relates to heaters, and more particularly to gas burning fireplace heaters of the kind simulating solid fuel fires, such as log fires.

In prevailing attempts to imitate log fires in gas burning heaters, the logs, made of suitable refractory material and hollow, constitute the burners; and the gas issues from numerous small apertures in the logs and burns in jets of varying size, depending upon the amount of gas being fed to the logs under the control of the usual valves. At low fire, much unburned gas escapes. Such burners, as will be readily appreciated by those familiar with the subject, are very inefflcient and produce disagreeable odors and throw off injurious gases.

The fundamental purpose of my invention is the production of a highly efficient gas burning fireplace heaterof the radiant type that simulates a solid fuel fire, desirably a stack of burning logs. Characteristic of radiant heaters, the device effects practically complete combustion and is therefore free from the foregoing objections.

Another and more limited object of the invention. is the production of a radiant gas heater in the style of a log fire in which a mask, simulating one or more logs, normally conceals the radiants, and which mask may be removed when the maximum heating power of the apparatus is desired.

A further object of the invention is to combine and advantageously relate, in an imitation solid fuel or log fire, a gas burning heater and an electrio illuminating device or lamp with which is associated a so-called spinner or flicker Wheel in the nature of a propeller that is rotatably supported above the illuminating device or lamp and is operated by the rising current of air induced by the heat of such device or lamp.

With reference to an embodiment of the invention simulating a log fire and wherein an electric lamp, equipped with a spinner, is combined with a radiant type gas burning heater, 2. still further and more specific object is to so relate the lamp to the gas burner that the former is out of the range of intense heat from the latter, and so that the lamp casts its rays upwardly against the radiants. By using a red, amber or other appropriately colored light, which desirably has some contrast with the illumination of the radiants by the burning gas, and by causing said light to flicker as above described, a very realistic appearance is imparted to the imitation log fire.

The illuminating and heating means may, of

course, be used independently of each other, and

when heat is not required, the electric illuminating device maybe turned on to impart a very cheerful appearance to the imitation log fire with flashes of light playing over parts of the logs and adjacent objects.

The foregoing aims, with others including simplicity and sturdiness of construction, economy of manufacture, and convenience of assembly and installation, are attained in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the heater with the removable mask partly broken away to reveal the radiants; .Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the heater from front to rear, the plane of section being indicated by the line 2-2 of Fig. 3, and Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

The base of the structure, designated generally by the reference numeral I, is in the nature of an open top box like unit and is desirably made up of sheet metal elements that are fastened to gether, preferably by welding. It includes a relatively shallow front 2, a somewhat deeper back 3, and ends 4 that are provided along their lower edges with inturned flanges 5. A bottom 6 has its front edge portion I extended upwardly and fastened to the inner side of the front 2, and its rear edge portion 3 projected upwardly and attached to the outer side of the back 3. The rear section of the bottom 6 is stepped down a substantial distance below the plane of its front section; and mounted upon the latter section is a conventional electrical lamp socket II] in which is shown, in Fig. 2, a lamp II. Applied to the lamp is a spring clamp I2 by which is rotatably supported, in the usual way, a spinner I3. This spinner consists of a propeller wheel of many blades and when caused to rotate by the rising current of air induced by the heat of the lamp, in-

termittently interrupts the rays of light and thus produces an effect much like that of a flickering solid fuel fire.

Legs I5, constituted of the end portions of inverted U-shaped members whose central horizontal parts I6 underlie and are attached to the flanges 5 of the ends 4, support the base at an elevation to clear the log supports or andirons of the customary height. Accordingly conventional andirons may be used with the apparatus.

By means of brackets I8 that are carried by and extend inwardly from the ends 4 of the base I, a gas burner I9 is supported within and toward the rear of the base. Lugs on the ends of the burner are secured, as by bolts 20, to said brackets I8. Connected to the mixing tube 2| of the burner is a valve unit 22, which may be of any approved type, and it includes a control valve that is adapted to be manipulated through the medium of an operating handle or key, the stem of which is designated 23 in Figs. 1 and 3, and the grip'portion 24 in the former view. A gas supply pipe (not shown) is adapted to be con nected, as by a union, to the inlet of the valve unit 22, access to which is had through an opening 25 in the bottom 6. The burner I9 is shown as provided with spaced radiant supports 2'1.

The lower edge of the back 3 is flanged inwardly at 28 to impart stiffness to the sheet of metal whereof the back is formed, and to the inner side of the back, near the top thereof, is spot welded or otherwise secured the base flange of a Z-bar 29. This bar, with its upwardly extending front flange, and in association with the upper edge portion of the back 3, forms an upwardly opening channel into which is adapted to be wedged the downwardly tapering lower edge of a back wall that constitutes a part of a refractory unit 30. Besides the back wall, which is designated 3|, said unit includes a hollow cap 32 that overhangs the back wall in a forward direction. The unit 3|] is provided with end walls 33 that extend a substantial distance forwardly of the back wall 3!, thus providing a cavity within which are adapted to be placed side by side a plurality of radiants 35 that are sustained by the radiant supports 2'! of the burner. The radiants repose with their upper ends between the top portion of the back wall 3| and the lower edge of the overhanging cap 32. As will be understood, the radiants are made of refractory material and are hollow so that the products of combustion from the burner may rise therein, and, as customary, their fronts have openings of liberal size and number. According to the present embodiment, the end walls 33 as well as the cap 32 of the unit 30 are made to resemble logs. Mounted upon and extending over the front portion of the base I, so as to conceal the same from a position forwardly of the structure, is a shell 4|! of refractory material, made, in the present instance, to imitate two logs. The larger or front log is formed with downwardly and rearwardly inclined seats 4 I, made in imitation of stumps of branches. The shell 49 is held in place by upwardly extending lugs 42 on the base I and I the surfaces of the shell which are arranged to engage said lugs are desirably inclined downwardly and rearwardly, as shown in Fig. 2. As a consequence, the shell, through its own weight,

is urged rearwardly into contact with spaced parts of the base and unit 30.

Adapted to be disposed above the shell 40 in engagement with the seats 4| and to be held thereby in proper position in front of the unit 3|] so as to conceal the radiants 35 is a mask 45. This mask, made of refractory material, is shown as hollow and as representing two logs. Openings 46 in the cap 32 and mask 45, emit light and heat when the apparatus is in operation.

When installed, the lamp socket l! is connected with a source of electricity through the conductors B, the circuit including a conveniently accessible switch; and, as previously explained, a connection is made between the inlet of the valve unit 22 and a gas supply pipe. To light the burner, the mask 45 is removed, and if an instantaneous and maximum output of heat is desired, the mask may be left off. It will be understood, however, that the mask may be replaced in order to effect more nearly the appearance of a log fire without sacrificing any appreciable amount of the heating power of the apparatus because the mask soon becomes heated to a high degree and radiates much heat, to augment that escaping through the openings 46 and through the spaces between the mask and adjacent refractory parts of the structure.

In order to secure the unit 30 firmly to the base with the tapered lower edge of the back wall 3| wedged into the resilient seat provided therefor by the previously mentioned channel made up of the Z-bar 29 and the adjacent portion of the back 3, I provide clamping elements 55 whose inwardly turned top flanges 56 engage transverse upwardly facing abutments 51 on the ends of the unit 30. The lower portions of the clamping elements 55 lie flat against the ends 4 of the base to which they are secured by screws 58 that are threaded into said ends. It will be observed from Fig. 1 that the clamping elements 55 have slots through which the screws 58 pass. This provides an adjustment to com ensate for the varying distances the lower edges of different back walls enter the channel of the base, and this is important because of the inevitable irregularities encountered in refractories. The same end is achieved in the previously described cooperation between the lugs 42 of the base and the inclined surfaces of the refractory shell 40.

In preparing the heater for shipment and storage, the clamping elements 55 may be loosened and reversed in position so that they repose within the area of the ends of the base, and the refractory portions of the structure, detached from the base, may be wrapped and arranged to occupy the minimum of space. The setting up of the structure and its installation are exceedingly simple and quick operations. With the base, including the burner, assembled at the factory, it may be installed by arranging it in proper position in a fireplace and connecting the valve unit 22 to the gas supply pipe, and the conductors (including a switch) to a source of current. The lamp clamp l2, and spinner I3 may then be emplaced, after which the refractory parts may be mounted upon the base with the unit 30 se cured thereto by the clamping elements 55. The only mechanical operations in the assembly of the structure are the adjustment of the clamping elements and the tightening of the two screws 58.

In various of its aspects, the invention is not limited to the use of refractory material for the parts that surmount the base; and where so limited it is not restricted to any particular kind of refractory material. In fact, I contemplate an embodiment wherein a heat resistant glass is used for the refractory parts, desirably treated so as to be opaque, or substantially so, when not illuminated from within and so as to give the appearance of logs. When the light is on, or the fire is burning, the glass parts will take on a glow throughout all or part of their areas.

Where glass, or other frangible refractory material is employed for the surmounting unit of the structure, the resilient receiving part of the metal base yields to relative movement between the engaging parts due to difference in coeflicient of expansion of the unlike materials. thus avoiding undue strain being placed upon the frangible element.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A heater comprising, in combination, a base, a gas burner supported by the base, a unit surmounting the base and including a back wall and cap, the cap simulating a log, a shell extending over and concealing the front portion of the base, and a shell-like mask removably supported above the shell and forwardly of the aforesaid unit, the shell and mask being made to resemble logs.

2. A heater comprising, in combination, a base, a gas burner supported by the base, a unit surmounting the base and including a back wall, ends and cap, the cap being hollow and simulating a log and being provided with front openings, a shell in imitation of one or more logs extending over and concealing the front portion of the base, and a shell-like mask in imitation of one or more logs removably supported above the shell and forwardly of the aforesaid unit.

3. A heater comprising, in combination, a base, a gas burner supported by the base adjacent the rear thereof, a unit surmounting the base and including a back wall, ends and cap, the cap being hollow and simulating a log, a shell in imitation of one or more logs extending over and concealing the front portion of the base, a shelllike mask in imitation of one or more logs removably supported above the shell and forwardly of the back wall, and a plurality of radiants disposed in front of the back wall in operative relation to the burner and having their upper ends confined within the aforesaid cap.

4. A heater comprising, in combination, a base, a gas burner supported by the base, a unit of refractory material surmounting the base and including a back wall rising rearwardly of the burner, a shell of refractory material disposed over the front of the base and concealing the base from a position forwardly thereof, the shell having upwardly and forwardly inclined seats, and a shell-like mask of refractory material removably sustained by said seats above the shell and forwardly of the aforesaid unit.

5. A heater comprising, in combination, a base, a gas burner supported by the base, a unit surmounting the base and including a back wall and cap, the cap simulating a log, and shell-like means resembling logs removably supported forwardly of the aforesaid unit and concealing the front portion of the base.

ELBERT E. OYSTER. 

